A short time ago I finished reading a great book, "Strengthen Yourself in the Lord," by Bill Johnson, and it is my #1 book on helping someone grow strong in their faith. Now this blog entry is not about the book and some of you may have been inundated my my series of emails containing quotes from the book*. This is about "yet unfulfilled words from God."
*You may request to be sent them if you dare...
Here is one quote from the book, discussing the early years of David, before he became king:
"...Saul's rejection of him was the first sign that David's schooling for the kingship was based on testing his ability to believe and walk in the Word over his life, even when the circumstances seemed to completely oppose and deny his destiny..."
Man, that sucks! Why would God ever tell us stuff, and then make it seem impossible... David went some 13 years through tough times before God brought him into his destiny and it seems that God has done it like that with others:
Abram/Abraham & Sarai/Sarah: to have a child late in life, then to have to sacrifice that one son.
(I've always wondered what Isaac's point of view of his father was, as he was tied-up and a knife poised over him...wonder what he thought of the God of Abraham right then.)
Joseph: hears God through two dreams then gets 23 years of suffering, sorrow, difficulty, and isolation from his family.
So it has been interesting to hear Jordan say that God may speak to us so we can become uncertain...developing faith. It sounds like a bunch of junk to me...though I also see the truth in that too. * see my latest thoughts on faith [http://faithbrothers.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-thoughts-on-faith.html ]
Please understand that I am not saying that this is wrong, I'm just saying I don't like it, that's not how I'd do things...and I do submit to God's ways...(do I really have any other option?) I do want my faith to grow and I am confident that when I get to Heaven and God shows me the "big picture" I'll be like, "Whow, now I see, that is so cool, God!" But for now, it is much more, "what the heck?" I have had some prophetic words over my life and I sure don't see them any where near fruition and I have struggled against wanting to "hear" more "words from God."
See, growing up, my father was a dreamer and a flake. He would tell me how great things would be, and then when I was nine, my parents divorced. While he was going through his mid-life crisis, complete with several girlfriends and buying a sailboat he could not afford, he continued to tell me things would be great and prosperous. He'd write me checks for my birthday or Christmas and then I'd get notified by the bank that they bounced... things never got great and I watched him drink more, dream more, and then after a heart attack and complications including a coma; severely brain damaged and bound to a wheelchair finally die from a secondary heart attack after nearly two years of hell. So I am a bit gun-shy about hearing about future events or even promises from anyone, and yes, even with God, it has been a struggle. (I've gotten much better.)
I've since heard from people either as prophets or with the prophetic gift tell me stuff that has not happened and does not seem possible... (now I share this with you, NOT so you feel sorry for me, or for you to tell me to hang in there... I just want us to all examine our LORD God Almighty and be honest about it all.)
1) I don't see the new job with expanded responsibility, authority, and much more money (prophetic word 4 years ago).
In fact, I've held my full-time job and part-time work for 3 years now.
2) God has a book for me to write (prophetic word 4 years ago).
I can't even get my thoughts organized past short blog entries and nothing revolutionary about any of them.
3) I'd be a pastor involved with young people (prophetic word some 30+ years ago).
Possible as time goes by, I'm getting older and older and older, so more and more people are younger than me.
4) "Things are coming to fulfillment soon." (prophetic word 3 years ago).
WHAT things?
5) Happily married with a wife I adore and can place all my trust in and a loving family ( prophetic word 9 years ago, 5 years ago, and last year).
Don't see it happening and I'm getting much older, I'm almost 44 years old now, I can't imagine holding my own baby in my arms anymore (NO comments about Abraham please, heard those already).
I sometimes think these people have the gift of "wishful thinking." People thought I'd be married in my 20's, then in my 30's, and now more of them keep their thoughts to themselves...thank you.
6) God is going to give me great vision, dreams, and revelations (prophetic word 5 years ago).
I have a dream/vision journal that is nearly empty since then...I can't remember my dreams and the few I have...not much to them.
Now, with all that said, there are other words from God, and in my own thoughts from God that do echo true or are happening too:
1) "It's never how I expect it to be."
Yeah!
2) My ministry is in business, commerce, and community.
That describes my work at ALTRES.
3) Spiritual gifts to grow.
Seeing the start of that.
4) I am called to be God's spokesman.
Aren't we all?
I know I am exposing a private part of my walk with God with you guys... that is because I want us to see our God move, work, and amaze us. I want to talk about it with a heart to really have a relationship with God and open up to the real possibilities that I can't see it all. So, here I write to that end -- I give you my all if it will move you to loving the Lord like I do! Yes, even when I don't get it all.
So, do I have faith? YES! There are things I've not shared in detail and this is not the place or time, but I'm supposed to be dead, so I really am on His time some 22 years now, so you'll just have to trust me, when I say I know God has plans for me and that my life continues for His purposes, He has ownership of my life...His plans are way better than the plans I had.
I still pray with all my heart, I've seen miraculous answers to my prayers for myself and for others, and I still believe in what I don't see possible, it's just hard. I still know God is God and He's in a good mood. I know He keeps His word, and I can trust him... shoots, I just don't want it to be 23 years later like it was for Jacob.... LOL
I sure am getting some serious opportunity and time to grow in my trust in God, and faith in God... I invite you to also jump in, the water's fine.
READ: Isaiah 40:31
The KNJV uses the word, WAIT; the NLT uses the word, TRUST; and the NIV uses the word, HOPE.
READ: Psalm 27:14
READ: Ecclesiastes 3:11 (Thank you R.W.!)
READ: Jeremiah 29:11, 13
God ROCKS!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Hearing from God: A Price to Pay?
Do you think there may be a price to pay for hearing God's voice? It seems to me that God is not going to spend much time "talking at" people who are going to hear His voice and stop there. Really think about that, in any relationship you have right now, how would you feel if the other person never responded to you, other than a "that's nice" or "huh" response?
What I'm getting at is I don't think we are going to hear much from God if we only stay at, "Oh God, I want to hear Your voice," without moving from there to,"Yes, Lord, Your servant is listening" and then after hearing Him, follow up with, "what shall I do, Lord?" I can't imagine God giving revelation and vision to anyone that will not use the information to obey what He is saying. Does this make sense?
Here's the tough part, go ahead and read 2 Corinthians 11:23b-29
I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. [24] Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. [26] I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.* [27] I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. [28] Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. [29] Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
Did God speak to Paul?
Did they negotiate the price?
Did Jesus barter when he spoke to Peter and how did Peter's life go?
What do you instinctively think when you hear the word, SURRENDER?
What about the word, OBEY?
I think saying, "no" to God is disobedience, just as much as hindering or delaying God's command is disobedience and even so, when we do follow through with a hostile or grudging attitude this is still disobedience...
Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned....
So:
Are you willing to be obedient to what God calls you to do?
What if He tells you to move to Bangladesh, will you be faithful as some others are?
What if He tells you to serve the poor and sell your nice home, or open it up to the needy?
What if He tells you to move to a rough neighborhood and show them God's love in action?
What if He tells you to stay in this difficult marriage and continue to seek Him and pray for your spouse, though you don't see any fruit?
What if you love that new car you're about to buy and God is asking you to give to a ministry in need?
What if God tells you to pray from someone even though you'd rather not?
What if God tells you to keep praying for someone even though you'd still rather not?
What if He tells you to help with the Keiki Life ministry yet you want to sit and be a front row pew potato?
(Okay Sonya, I'll write/talk with you later...)
:)
James 1:22
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
So, hear me, do you still want to hear the voice of God?
I suggest you spend some time in thought and then pray...oh yeah, and then obey!
There just might be a HIGHER price to pay for NOT obeying and for silencing God's voice in your life...hmm, that's some stuff to think about.
God ROCKS!
Please share your comments here.
What I'm getting at is I don't think we are going to hear much from God if we only stay at, "Oh God, I want to hear Your voice," without moving from there to,"Yes, Lord, Your servant is listening" and then after hearing Him, follow up with, "what shall I do, Lord?" I can't imagine God giving revelation and vision to anyone that will not use the information to obey what He is saying. Does this make sense?
Here's the tough part, go ahead and read 2 Corinthians 11:23b-29
I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. [24] Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. [26] I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.* [27] I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. [28] Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. [29] Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
Did God speak to Paul?
Did they negotiate the price?
Did Jesus barter when he spoke to Peter and how did Peter's life go?
What do you instinctively think when you hear the word, SURRENDER?
What about the word, OBEY?
I think saying, "no" to God is disobedience, just as much as hindering or delaying God's command is disobedience and even so, when we do follow through with a hostile or grudging attitude this is still disobedience...
Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned....
So:
Are you willing to be obedient to what God calls you to do?
What if He tells you to move to Bangladesh, will you be faithful as some others are?
What if He tells you to serve the poor and sell your nice home, or open it up to the needy?
What if He tells you to move to a rough neighborhood and show them God's love in action?
What if He tells you to stay in this difficult marriage and continue to seek Him and pray for your spouse, though you don't see any fruit?
What if you love that new car you're about to buy and God is asking you to give to a ministry in need?
What if God tells you to pray from someone even though you'd rather not?
What if God tells you to keep praying for someone even though you'd still rather not?
What if He tells you to help with the Keiki Life ministry yet you want to sit and be a front row pew potato?
(Okay Sonya, I'll write/talk with you later...)
:)
James 1:22
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
So, hear me, do you still want to hear the voice of God?
I suggest you spend some time in thought and then pray...oh yeah, and then obey!
There just might be a HIGHER price to pay for NOT obeying and for silencing God's voice in your life...hmm, that's some stuff to think about.
God ROCKS!
Please share your comments here.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Hearing from God: Online Enrollment--Lord's School of the Spirit
Please consider these verses for a moment...
[John 10:27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
[Revelation 3:20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.
Does other Scripture come to mind about hearing God's voice?
What is your heart saying right now? Do you yearn for more, because I am sure that as much as you may yearn to hear what God is saying--God, Himself wants all of us to hear what He's saying even more! WOW!
The Creator of the Universe wants to have a personal relationship with YOU: intimate, clear, and so loving... Let's not forget He has already spoken to you, when you said YES in your heart to seek and follow Christ, it was GOD asking you the question...
So, perhaps the principle key to hearing God's voice is by tilling, planting and cultivating a love-based relationship with God...to be called a friend of God.
I bet you are desiring to hear God more and more...
So, here is an opening invitation to sign-up for God's School of the Spirit:
Pray--
Abba, Father God, I want to hear Your voice and learn Your ways more and more. Be my Teacher and be my Guide. Please enroll me in Your School of the Spirit and teach me to hear Your voice. Write down my name on Your list! I want to know You, to have an intimate relationship with You, to be called a friend of God. I desire to be a faithful disciple of Christ Jesus, and have sweet communion with You. Oh Holy Spirit, I want to hear You, and I want to have more faith (faith comes from hearing), and I want to obey what You tell me. Help LORD, Your servant wants to listen! Amen.
Now just enter your name in the "comment" element of this entry if that helps you solidify this prayer and as a sign of your personal commitment.
[John 10:27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
[Revelation 3:20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.
Does other Scripture come to mind about hearing God's voice?
What is your heart saying right now? Do you yearn for more, because I am sure that as much as you may yearn to hear what God is saying--God, Himself wants all of us to hear what He's saying even more! WOW!
The Creator of the Universe wants to have a personal relationship with YOU: intimate, clear, and so loving... Let's not forget He has already spoken to you, when you said YES in your heart to seek and follow Christ, it was GOD asking you the question...
So, perhaps the principle key to hearing God's voice is by tilling, planting and cultivating a love-based relationship with God...to be called a friend of God.
I bet you are desiring to hear God more and more...
So, here is an opening invitation to sign-up for God's School of the Spirit:
Pray--
Abba, Father God, I want to hear Your voice and learn Your ways more and more. Be my Teacher and be my Guide. Please enroll me in Your School of the Spirit and teach me to hear Your voice. Write down my name on Your list! I want to know You, to have an intimate relationship with You, to be called a friend of God. I desire to be a faithful disciple of Christ Jesus, and have sweet communion with You. Oh Holy Spirit, I want to hear You, and I want to have more faith (faith comes from hearing), and I want to obey what You tell me. Help LORD, Your servant wants to listen! Amen.
Now just enter your name in the "comment" element of this entry if that helps you solidify this prayer and as a sign of your personal commitment.
Hearing from God: He speaks through us to others
This entry is the place where we can exercise God speaking through us to others...
You may post what God is saying through the "comment" element of this blog.
Since many people may read this, I ask that you don't use names and be sensitive to identifiers that may be in the words you hear from God... If it needs to be very specific then just tell that person, and perhaps just an outline of the prophetic word for us to "see" God using us more and more and more.... You can use MAN or WOMAN or CHURCH, things like that...just read over your comments/words from God before posting please.
God so ROCKS!
You may post what God is saying through the "comment" element of this blog.
Since many people may read this, I ask that you don't use names and be sensitive to identifiers that may be in the words you hear from God... If it needs to be very specific then just tell that person, and perhaps just an outline of the prophetic word for us to "see" God using us more and more and more.... You can use MAN or WOMAN or CHURCH, things like that...just read over your comments/words from God before posting please.
God so ROCKS!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Hearing from God: Some initial thoughts and some questions too.
This is essentially a revisit of an old blog entry from 2005. I find it interesting where I am now compared to where I was then. So I have taken a bit of the original and now added a recent "hearing from God" story...
I do know God speaks to me, even better than just speaking, he answers my prayers and questions..specific, individual, and personal...that is very cool.
He had awoken me at 3am to pray for someone and their family for several months. I later find out that the person was awakened every day at the same time, sensing (hearing?) that I was praying at that very moment for them. WOW!
And yet, it was only through a never-fading sense and "joyful burden" to pray and sometimes very specific things to intercede for... I got to a point of having to ask God if it was just me, with my O.C. personality that was awakening me each night (3AM) with a desire to pray. This is when "out-of-the-blue" I get a call, "are you praying for me in the early morning? Because something wakes me up around 3AM, I come wide-awake with a peaceful feeling and something tells me you are praying for me right now." Now that is a cool confirmation...see, I have never heard the audible voice of God.
For that matter, I have never seen the Hand of God writing on a wall; speaking through an ass (that's a King James Donkey, you guys) or a small still voice--a whisper... Nothing that noteworthy, or in such Biblical proportions.
Now, the Bible has those examples and others, but what I want to discuss is if anyone else "hears God's voice"....If you "hear from God" how do you know?
What are some things to look for, as evidence it is God?
How do you hear Him?
What does He say?
Is there a difference between hearing God's voice and the Holy Spirit's urgings and promptings?
How do you separate your own inner voice and His?
I know we are to seek the Lord and we are to pray/ask for guidance....so what if we don't/can't hear a response? Do we just freeze up and not move forward? Do we forgo trying to hear and just blunder ahead....how can we "check-in" as we move?
Hmm, inquiring minds want to know...
I do know God speaks to me, even better than just speaking, he answers my prayers and questions..specific, individual, and personal...that is very cool.
He had awoken me at 3am to pray for someone and their family for several months. I later find out that the person was awakened every day at the same time, sensing (hearing?) that I was praying at that very moment for them. WOW!
And yet, it was only through a never-fading sense and "joyful burden" to pray and sometimes very specific things to intercede for... I got to a point of having to ask God if it was just me, with my O.C. personality that was awakening me each night (3AM) with a desire to pray. This is when "out-of-the-blue" I get a call, "are you praying for me in the early morning? Because something wakes me up around 3AM, I come wide-awake with a peaceful feeling and something tells me you are praying for me right now." Now that is a cool confirmation...see, I have never heard the audible voice of God.
For that matter, I have never seen the Hand of God writing on a wall; speaking through an ass (that's a King James Donkey, you guys) or a small still voice--a whisper... Nothing that noteworthy, or in such Biblical proportions.
Now, the Bible has those examples and others, but what I want to discuss is if anyone else "hears God's voice"....If you "hear from God" how do you know?
What are some things to look for, as evidence it is God?
How do you hear Him?
What does He say?
Is there a difference between hearing God's voice and the Holy Spirit's urgings and promptings?
How do you separate your own inner voice and His?
I know we are to seek the Lord and we are to pray/ask for guidance....so what if we don't/can't hear a response? Do we just freeze up and not move forward? Do we forgo trying to hear and just blunder ahead....how can we "check-in" as we move?
Hmm, inquiring minds want to know...
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Hearing from God: OPEN Comments & Questions
I've created this entry as a "general area" for you all to post your own experiences, comments, and questions that you'd like to share... Use this area if what you have to share doesn't fit with a specific post or thread of discussion...
God ROCKS!
God ROCKS!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)